East Meets West for Pitcher Nomo : Baseball: When Dodgers introduce their new $2-million signing, it’s bigger news in Tokyo than in Los Angeles.

It resembled a Hollywood premiere more than a baseball news conference. The aroma of sushi and teriyaki chicken was in the air, not the scent of hot dogs and peanuts. Men wore European suits and Bally shoes, not jeans and sneakers.

At the back of the hotel ballroom were 15 camera crews. Two dozen photographers jostled for position in front. And about 200 folks sat at tables adorned with miniature Japanese and American flags.

It made no difference that major league baseball is on strike, or that the guest of honor was not Barry Bonds or Greg Maddux. This was an event that transcended the baseball diamond. This was headline news in Japan.

Hideo Nomo, 26, one of the premier pitchers in Japanese baseball, officially became a Dodger on Monday, signing a minor-league contract for a signing bonus in excess of $2 million. He could become only the second Japanese player to appear in the major leagues, and the first since Masanori Murakami pitched for the San Francisco Giants in the 1960s.

“This is very, very big news in our country,” said Hiroto Shibata, a reporter for the Nikkon Sports News. “I know it’s not a big story in the United States, maybe because they don’t know him, but he’s a star in Japan.”

That was why Japanese reporters and dignitaries applauded every compliment made by Dodger President Peter O’Malley, every word uttered by Nomo. Several asked Nomo to autograph napkins and Dodger paraphernalia.

The Dodgers fueled the enthusiasm by giving everyone a baseball card set of their three consecutive rookie-of-the-year winners, the implication being that Nomo could be No. 4.

“We all learned in grammar school that East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet,” broadcaster Vin Scully said. “That is put to rest today. . . .

“The Dodgers over the years have had remarkable pitchers--a great black pitcher named Don Newcombe, a great Jewish pitcher in Sandy Koufax, and a great Mexican pitcher by the name of Fernando Valenzuela.

“So in retrospect, it’s only right that we should have a great Japanese pitcher.”

Nomo, who does not speak English and will be given a full-time interpreter, is scheduled to arrive at the Dodgers’ spring training camp in Vero Beach, Fla., within two weeks. He is prohibited by federal labor law from pitching in the major leagues as a replacement player during the strike, but he will be in the minor-league camp.

Nomo said he has wanted to pitch in the major leagues ever since pitching in the 1988 Olympics.

“I would hope a lot of fans will come out and watch me perform,” he said. “I will not disappoint them.”

Nomo could become the Michael Jordan of Japanese advertising before he throws his first pitch. He is being inundated with offers, and is so popular, said attorney Arn Tellem, that negotiations are underway to televise every Dodger game in Japan.

“The potential for him off the field is enormous,” Tellem said.

Several American players who faced Nomo in Japan predict that he can become a consistent 15- to 18-game winner.